Top 20 Best Affordable Watches of 2025 That You Can Wear in 2026
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Throw out your Advent calendars! Because today I’m bringing you the only winter countdown that truly matters. The Ben’s Watch Club best watches of the year ranking list!
Yeah, I got hands-on with over 200 watches across my two channels in 2025, and today, I’ll be sharing with you the very best options I tried over the last twelve months.
20 watches of all shapes, sizes, and styles that you’ll be writing to Santa for as soon as you’ve seen them.
And while I did try some more expensive models this year, as the title suggests, I’ll be sticking to the lower cost sub-£500 or sub-$600 offerings, because my idea of affordable doesn’t involve remortgaging your house!
I’ll begin with some honorable mentions that almost made the list.
Citizen’s new Tsuyosa 37mm offered the same sporty package in a more compact form factor, but was hampered by an underwhelming selection of launch colors and a very hazy sapphire crystal.
San Martin’s Year of the Snake Limited Edition suffered from similar legibility issues, but offered up a phenomenal three-dimensional spiral dial, with a shine akin to a super rare holographic trading card. Unlike previous Chinese New Year models, some colors are still available as of publishing.
Casio tried to recapture the success of 2024’s EFB chronograph in the form of the EFB-109D, and while it was decent, it just wasn’t quite as handsome as its forebearer.
Their MTP-1302PE, on the other hand, was better than its predecessors, with a stunning reverse waffle-effect dial and upgraded applied markers. It could easily have made this list, but sadly, the chrome-plated case was also carried over from previous versions, at a price where stainless steel really is the new norm.
The Ascent GMT was another fantastically built watch from Erebus, though I personally prefer the sleekness and punchier dials of the standard Ascent.
20. Timex Deepwater Reef 200
I bought this while researching for my best Timex watches post, and found that it is indeed one of the best Timex watches. In a nutshell, the Deepwater Reef is a medium-sized quartz dive watch that ticks all of the big boxes.
It’s got a nicely finished steel case, with this particular variant boasting a PVD coating, a 120-click bezel with zero backplay, a screwdown crown with a ton of grip, 200m of water resistance, and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a passable level of clarity.
Unlike many previous Timex divers, this one also has excellent low-light performance, thanks to the big stacks of lume that make up the hour markers, as well as a good stock band that will make you think twice about the more expensive bracelet models.
Stylistically, you get some of that retro, skin diver shaping, with the squared-off lugs, as well as an Omega-like wave-adorned dial that still looks good up close.
With a 41.5mm bezel and a 40mm case, it also accommodates a wider variety of wrist sizes than the likes of the Casio Duro, and in essence, that sums up what you get here: a Casio Duro rival that’s more expensive but better in just about every way.
19. RZE Urbanist
The Urbanist is a £250, or $300, field watch like few others. While it retains some elements from the more traditional field watches of days gone by, such as a fairly standard marker array and a classically compact size, the rest is radically more modern. As the name implies, the Urbanist has some obvious street-style influences, with a graffiti-like selection of bright dial colors and the contrasting matte case and strap hardware serving as the canvas.
This isn’t all for show, though. No, this watch is actually very capable from a material perspective. Despite looking like typical blasted steel, the case is actually made of titanium, with their in-house Ultrahex hardening coating. The same coating that comprehensively outperformed virtually every other case material in my big watch case scratch test, including other hardness coatings like Citizen’s Super Titanium. Indeed, it’s about as close to impervious as you can get, making it a great choice for a watch case that may be exposed to frequent bumps and scrapes. They also make a version with a Cerakote case, though I haven’t tested that one at present.
This practicality extends to the movement and crystal. The Urbanist is using a Miyota solar movement, so battery changes will be few and far between, if ever; a common-sense choice for a watch that may see outdoor action. Atop is also a sapphire crystal with an inner-side anti-reflective coating that also gives you good clarity, without the excessive blue cast often associated with AR treatments. And, as you might have guessed from the screwback, you get a solid 10ATM water resistance rating, so you can dunk it if you need to.
The black crown is more limiting than I’d like, but it’s still a comfortable, fashion-forward field watch; a combination that’s surprisingly difficult to find.
RZE also just released their first dressier model, the Resolute 36. It’s a touch above the budgetary restraints of this list, but it also deserves a brief shoutout for combining super silky dials with the same level of robustness, which again is a pretty rare combination.
For a more run-of-the-mill choice, a quick mention goes to the Thorn SHY-043 and Addiesdive AD2076 as well; two near-identical A-17 style field watches that almost made the list themselves for offering great construction and surprising detailing for super low prices. I slightly prefer the Thorn, but either can work if you’re on a tight budget.
18. Casio EFR-S108DE
At 18, the Casio EFR-S108DE. It seems that every year, there’s a new version of this fan-favorite sports watch making its way onto this list. Last year, it was the updated metallic dial variants; this time, it’s the new ‘DE’ variants, which sport an even more elaborate textured surface, leading to the white dial version accruing the nickname Casio ‘Snowflake’, for obvious reasons.
I personally preferred the green version, but both were pretty impressive on a macro level, with a crusty, almost planetary vibe that matched well with the angular, futuristic case shape. Indeed, you still get the same well-finished wafer-thin 39mm case, which is a huge reason this watch is so popular, paired with good water resistance and a sapphire crystal to boot.
In future, I’d love to see Casio experiment with the handset a little more, but otherwise, it’s another sweet addition to this fabulous line of watches.
17. Timex MK1 Mechanical
At 17, the Timex MK1 Mechanical. In 2025, Timex revamped its ageing MK1 lineup with a string of new models, the flagships being the 40mm MK1 Automatic and the 36mm MK1 Mechanical. At launch, the automatic stole the headlines, with slick product imagery and an overall look that rivalled the Hamilton Khaki for a fraction of the price. Indeed, that one was pretty decent, but when trying them both in the flesh, I immediately found myself favoring the lower-cost mechanical version.
While the reduced size won’t suit everyone, the mechanical provided a more unique, and in my opinion more attractive, look, with a darker dial for increased contrast, and a hint of dressiness, by way of the super clean chapter ring, and overall reduction in visual clutter.
While simple, the case brushing was nicely done, and it also exhibited a major advantage over its automatic counterpart: the slim profile. Indeed, the MK1 Automatic was too chunky for my liking, especially with the domed acrylic crystal factored in, whereas the mechanical provided a much sleeker on-wrist experience, with a case height of just 7.6mm; an inherent plus point of the thinner hand-wound movement.
The stock nylon band was more than serviceable, and overall, the MK1 Mechanical just presented itself as a cool vintage-inspired option with a touch more elegance and distinctiveness than the sea of samey-looking designation-style designs that typically flood these lower price brackets.
At a full retail price of $279 on the Timex US site, it’s too pricey for my liking, so I’d recommend either shopping grey market, on the likes of Amazon, or waiting for a decent discount code on the Timex site to bring this one down to a more appropriate level; especially considering the luminescence is sub-par and it’s only using an acrylic crystal.
16. Citizen BM7630 Odyn
At 16, the Citizen BM7360 Odyn. This may be the most underrated watch I looked at this year. Now, the Odyn released in some regions in late 2024, but due to limited availability and nonexistent marketing, few learned of it until 2025.
I only stumbled upon it when investigating Citizen’s back catalogue, and I’m delighted I did, as this is a really fun hidden gem.
Now, I’ll get the downsides out of the way first. The bracelet is only constructed of folded links, and the glass is only basic mineral, both of which are laughable for a watch costing this much. But that’s where the bad news ends.
For starters, this watch looks absolutely baller. Not only does it have a nicely sculpted case and a sporty octagonal bezel, but it’s also got a sensational dial that helps this piece look far more expensive.
The markers look great, with a commanding 3D profile that suits the above-average case size. Indeed, at just shy of 41mm, it’s nicely suited to slightly larger arms, though it’s probably not as huge as my tiny wrist makes it look.
From a distance, this gives off some real AP Royal Oak vibes, with the waffle-like dial and engraved steel bezel, albeit when you get closer, its real secrets come to the fore.
As you can see, this is an eco-drive (or solar-powered) watch, and the surface is actually one large panel, with the squared pattern applied to the surface. While not as tactile as a true waffle dial, the presence of the solar panel actually gives this watch a rather unique sheen that looks pretty swanky, even from a moderate distance, helping make this a functional and flashy choice that you may be able to grab for under 200 from grey market sites, though availability remains hit or miss.
15. Q-Timex Continental
Yeah, I cheated a bit here and lumped these new Continental watches into one slot. The two I tried were the Continental GMT and the Continental Q80 Digital, which I purchased because of the striking resemblance to two much pricier watches, the Tissot PRX quartz and PRX digital.
And you know what, I’d take both of these over the equivalent Tissots. Despite being half the cost, these actually match or beat the Tissot models in several areas, all while not being lazy clones like many of the Chinese homage watches.
The Contintental Q80 is Timex’s best digital watch to date, with intuitive functions, a good backlight, and a clean design packed inside a very well-finished stainless steel case. In fact, both Continental models are finished just as well as their Tissot equivalents to the naked eye, with slim, elegant construction that puts the steel digital Casios to shame.
The GMT, meanwhile, offers up a circular textured dial that’s more intricate than the vacant dials you’re stuck with on most of the quartz PRX models. The popular waffle dials are limited to the automatic models, which are way more expensive. Here, you also get a quirky central GMT window, for another degree of functionality. Whether you’d use it or not is another question, but quartz GMT watches are surprisingly hard to come by, especially at this price, so the more options the merrier, as far as I’m concerned.
Yeah, these watches are both quite affordable, each sitting at well below £200, with the digital potentially being attainable for around £100 during sale periods. Timex also recently added a lower-cost non-GMT model to the lineup, which brought with it brighter colors that the monochrome GMT version was lacking, so they may be worth exploring, too.
At 39mm across the board, these models are all a pretty flexible size, and the bracelets and straps are decent quality. However, the lack of a microadjustable clasp is a big miss, and these each only have mineral glass, which does give them better visibility than many equivalent cost sapphire-equipped watches, but leaves them short in terms of scratch resistance.
14.5. Vaer G2
Now, I have to throw a little spanner in the works. You see, this post was like 90% complete when I received another quartz GMT, the Vaer G2 Pacific Steel. While not as cheap as the Timex, it’s an even more handsome and better-built diver-inspired option that would have just edged it out on this list. So yeah, let’s call this #14.5, eh?
The reason for this last-gasp entry is actually its sheer popularity. You see, I first wanted to try this model way back in April, but it kept selling out over and over again, to the extent that I couldn’t even get my hands on a review sample, let alone a retail unit.
Luckily, the fifth time around, I was able to swing one, and it quickly became obvious why this thing is so hard to come by.
In essence, the G2 is like a lower-specced but significantly cheaper version of one of their other watches, the G5 Pacific Steel, which is the one I ended up covering back in April. Indeed, from a distance, you could confuse them, as they really are very similar, with designs both inspired by vintage Rolex designs of the 1950s and 1970s. They each have comparable layouts, shapes, and color schemes; only the G5 is around $900, or about £680, while the G2 is usually less than half of that.
Now, to be clear, the G5 is certainly a better watch. It’s got the edge on specs across the board, has a mechanical movement, and is overall more attractive, especially when it comes to the finer details such as the dial surface, the multi-finish handset, and the crystal, all of which subtly elevate its appearance, particularly in non-ideal lighting scenarios.
But as we saw on a larger scale with the Moonswatch, resemblance counts for a lot. Heck, people were paying eBay scalper prices for cheaply-made plastic watches, all because they looked like an Omega Moonwatch and carried the official Omega logo, for what was still a lot less money than the real thing.
And it’s a similar effect here with the G2, only the sacrifices aren’t nearly as major. It’s actually impressive how much is retained from the more expensive G5. You still get the really nice curvaceous steel case. You still get a pretty clear sapphire crystal. You still get a strong 15ATM water resistance rating, with a screwdown crown and caseback, and you even get luminescence that still exceeds most big brand alternatives.
All while providing like 80% of the snazzy looks. It’s like the 80/20 rule applied to watchmaking!
So the G2 is a great value GMT, with two caveats. The dial surface itself is pretty plain compared to the G5, and most others on this list, and while the G5 and G2 are both listed as 39mm online, they actually vary in size. The G5 is close to 40mm, while the G2 is bang on 39mm and also a little slimmer; a difference I immediately noticed when trying the G2 on. It wears a chunk smaller for sure, which may be good or bad for you, though I will say the pricier G5 uses that extra headroom to expand its bezel slightly, providing what I think is a more pleasing dial-to-bezel ratio.
So yeah, like the Moonswatch, this G2 is no Omega, but on this occasion, you don’t have to worry about it rubbing off on your wrist, as it’s still a really solid piece of kit.
14. Orient Bambino 75th Anniversary Edition
At 14, the Orient Bambino 75th Anniversary Edition.
Whether you can obtain this watch by the time you’re watching this remains to be seen, but the 75th anniversary edition of the Orient Bambino altered the biggest area of contention with many watch fans: the main logo. While I don’t mind it, the traditional crest has never been to everyone’s taste, and some fans have begged Orient to consider changing it for several years.
And in a way, Orient listened, as many of their special anniversary watches shipped with Orient’s original hand-written logo instead, whose lighter-weight cursive typeface helped extend the vintage illusion.
While several models sported this change, the Bambino iteration remained the best value pick, with its classic, clean visuals and reasonable RRP that have always made it the go-to entry-level dress watch for budget buyers.
If you’re unfamiliar with this watch, Orient is basically a Japanese subsidiary of Seiko Epson, so it’s a sister company to the Seiko Watch Corporation. They make all their own mechanical movements, including the one powering this Bambino, which is pretty cool, and Orient manages to squeeze this into a pretty thin profile, with the heavily domed crystal accounting for a good portion of the final thickness.
Build quality is solid, and while the Bambino won’t be winning any spec contests, it’s got a great deal more elegance and originality than the vast majority of dress watches at its price. You can usually grab this for around £250 here in the UK, which is slightly more than the standard models. However, this anniversary edition also ships with two straps, including this smooth suede option that far exceeds the stiff croc-style band that’s usually the default. If you shop around, you may be able to find it for less, though its limited-edition nature will make that unlikely.
At 40.5mm, it’s best suited to average-sized wrists, though those with a smaller arm like mine will want to consider the 38mm models instead, which all feature the standard crest at the time of recording.
13. Cadisen C8200
At 13, the Cadisen C8200. Now, 13 really must be my unlucky number, as my unit arrived with a dial that was quite obviously kinked clockwise.
Yeah, when you’re paying way under a hundred for a Chinese watch with top-tier specs, you have to accept some level of risk when it comes to quality control, so such a mistake didn’t surprise me, but what did surprise me was how solid every other part was, hence the reason it’s still on this list.
While the packaging arrived absolutely battered, the out-of-the-box feel was way better than I’d imagined, with a substantial heft that belied its low price tag. The finishing on the steel case was equally neat, with a nicely integrated solid link bracelet that rounded out the look. The suspiciously strong spec list also turned out to be accurate, meaning this Cadisen came not only with a Seiko NH35A automatic movement in the back, but also a decent sapphire crystal, and a ridged teak deck dial pattern that looked mighty impressive even under a macro lens.
Apparently, this model was created in collaboration with some unspecified German designer, who clearly borrowed a few ideas from our pal Gerald Genta, with the C8200’s octagonal steel bezel and Nautilus-like dial pattern being obvious tells. Though it’s more of a mash-up than a rip-off of any specific model.
If it weren’t for my unit being misaligned, this piece would have placed higher on this list, as it trumps many budget watches on all fronts. Its only design-related shortcomings are the sheer bulbosity of the case and the limitations of the bracelet, whose links are large and whose butterfly mechanism naturally foregoes microadjustment holes; albeit you can switch it for any 20mm alternative.
12. Seiko Gene Kranz Reissue
At 12, the Seiko Gene Kranz reissue. Now, it’s no secret that in recent years I’ve had one big problem with Seiko watches: that being price. It’s not that their watches are bad or anything. It’s just that most are priced hundreds of pounds more than they probably should be, even with dealer discounts taken into account. That’s doubly so for their special edition watches, which seem to automatically receive a four-figure price tag, regardless of looks, materials, or historical significance.
Well, luckily, there were a couple of outliers that arrived in 2025, the first being the Seiko 5 SRPL90, aka the Gene Kranz reissue. Now, Gene Kranz is NASA’s former chief flight director who led many of the most famous space missions, including the first moon landings; all while wearing a Seiko 5 sports watch, which this reissue very accurately recreates with modern materials.
Yeah, this revamp has a steel case, a Seiko automatic movement, and good water resistance, all while looking near-identical to the 1960s version. With a 38.2mm case size, it’s also compact like the original and wears really nicely on average and smaller wrists; though its squat case shape means it can also be pulled off if you’ve got a larger arm too.
The best bit, of course, is the fact that Seiko didn’t add an extra zero onto the price! Launching at a hair under £400, it cost virtually the same as many standard Seiko 5 models did when they launched, making this a straight-up better buy, given its historical connections and its other hidden advantages.
Yeah, while most Seiko 5 models are stuck with folded link bracelets and hollow end links, the Gene Kranz reissue comes on a solid link bracelet that has smaller links for finer adjustability, and a weight increase that provides a more balanced on-wrist feel than most Seiko 5s.
It may sound silly, but this model also comes with a friction-fit clickless bezel that rotates in both directions, therefore avoiding the notorious bezel misalignment issues that even the higher-end Seiko watches seem extremely prone to.
Stylistically, it’s not reinventing the wheel by any stretch, but it does look remarkably similar to many of the more expensive Seiko models, making this the obvious go-to entry point for first-time Seiko buyers. It is a limited edition piece, so move quickly if you’re interested.
11. Seiko SSB479
At 11, the Seiko SSB479. Yes, in a shock to myself and probably everyone, we have two Seiko watches in this list, coincidentally landing side by side. And this one is here for pretty much the same reason as the last.
It’s fairly affordable and aesthetically rivals a bunch of much pricier alternatives; in some cases, I’d say outright beating them as far as visuals are concerned. Indeed, my brother-in-law owns the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer, and I think this much cheaper and slimmer chronograph is objectively the more handsome choice.
The SSB479 looks like it should be part of Seiko’s Presage 60’s collection, with a Rolex Daytona-like mid-century design and a case shape and bezel that almost looks like they’ve rolled directly off the Presage production line. And while the Presage watches themselves are pretty good, the big plus of this piece is the price. For whatever reason, the SSB479 was available from day one on grey market sites for closer to half of the £400 RRP pushed by Seiko’s authorised dealers, which these days is quite the outlier.
This piece looks much more expensive than that, with a super glossy black dial, thin hands, and sleek markers that make it very easy to dress up or down. What’s more, it’s not stuck with any price-indicative Seiko 5 branding. So, while the ‘chronograph’ text is a little obtuse, to an untrained eye, the minimal text and absence of icons make this appear much like the higher-end Seiko models, which often forego the ‘range’ nomenclature completely.
The faux-lume won’t be to everyone’s taste, and up close, those inset subdials are pretty basic, but I do enjoy whacking this thing on my wrist for some of that classic chronograph experience.
It’s got a heavily domed crystal, which also looks the part, even if it’s perhaps a tad too aggressively curved, and the bracelet is also better than those on most similarly priced Seiko 5 watches, with solid links throughout and two microadjustment holes that just about work, considering the tiny link size.
As you might imagine, at this price, it is a meca-quartz chronograph. The pushers feel really good, and I wouldn’t expect anything less, considering that Seiko manufactures the movement in-house, too.
Size-wise, it’s also fairly classic, at just shy of 39mm, with a 45mm lug to lug and a commendable slimness, if you discount the huge crystal. At the full £400 RRP, it’s still decent, but I’d probably go grey market if you can, given the rather substantial discrepancy; at which point, it’s a stunner.
10. Merkur Lightning
At 10, the Merkur Lightning. Chinese brand Merkur ranked pretty highly on my best AliExpress watch brands list, serving up some of the best value releases over the past 18 months. While this model is far from my favorite Merkur (I much prefer their sector dial watch from last year) the aptly-named Lightning still places well on this list, purely because of its absurd technical prowess.
I can’t lie, the looks are divisive for sure. It’s got a strangely short handset, a starkly raised crystal, and a bizarre band that really doesn’t fit the look whatsoever. However, it’s also packing a dial that single-handedly carries the show.
I called the last watch a Presage pretender, but this is an even more obvious example, with a 3D ridged extreme sunburst dial whose finish is undeniably similar to some of Seiko’s Cocktail Time watches in isolation.
The rest of the package is, of course, totally different, but this radial effect is surprisingly well-executed and even holds up respectably under macro examination, which is all the more remarkable considering how little the price discrepancy. I paid around £70 for this on AliExpress, or around $95 USD. That’s around a quarter of the cheapest Seiko Presage models, if not less. And at that price, this level of detailing is about as rare as an MP lowering your taxes!
The fun doesn’t end there, though, as the steel case is also nice and slim, and it even conceals an in-house manufactured Chinese Standard Movement under the hood. Yeah, you get a hand-wound mechanical movement here, with some decoration, at a price where most watches just feature the same old £3 quartz modules.
The nylon band is completely ill-suited though, so factor in a replacement if you do enjoy the peculiar design language.
9. San Martin SN0144 GMT
At number 9, the San Martin SN0144 GMT. This San Martin is an updated version of last year’s best-selling SN0144, which placed in my top 5 thanks to its Jianzhan pottery-inspired enamel dial and insane level of build quality, including one of the best bracelets I’ve ever come across. This new iteration brings some modifications that arguably improve the overall package, albeit at a notable price increase.
Despite what my overly bright footage may indicate, the boxed sapphire crystal here is far clearer than the flat sapphire used on the standard model, and the addition of the internal 24-hour ring also pushes the markers inward slightly, changing the proportions slightly, for better or for worse.
It retains the same vein-like surface and also ships in a range of bright colors, such as this purple, all of which come with matching date wheels and corresponding two-tone rings.
Of course, you also get the added GMT functionality for tracking a second time zone, if that’s something you care about. This one uses the Miyota 9075, which is a pretty good, slim automatic movement that helps this stay almost as thin as its forebearer, at just 12.5mm with the crystal and 10.1 without it.
At 39mm wide, it’s also right in that goldilocks zone, making it work for a wide variety of wrists, though I did run into one fit-related frustration. My unit had a tolerance issue on one of the end links, which reduced pliability. It wasn’t an issue on my skinny arm, but for those with bigger wrists, it could have proved problematic.
Outside of that, the bracelet is excellent, with a great microadjustable slide clasp, and it’s just as well-finished as the rest of the watch, whose polishing honestly puts Rolex to shame. Believe me, I’ve compared them.
The reason this watch isn’t higher is that the price is getting up there, approaching £400 at the time of writing, and the lower-cost standard version still provides a very similar experience.
8. Proxima PX1720
At 8, the Proxima PX1720. The final GMT on this list, the Proxima PX1720, simply does not make mathematical sense. I’m just going to list the specs and let you guess the cost.
It’s got full stainless steel construction, a solid steel bracelet with on-the-fly microadjustments, a bidirectional sapphire GMT bezel that even lights up in the dark, an automatic Seiko GMT movement, a screwdown crown, a Rolex-like screwed caseback, a 200m water resistance rating, a boxed sapphire crystal, a glitter-effect Aventurine mineral dial, and even an original design that isn’t a lazy copy of something else.
Any guesses? No, it’s not a grand…not even close to five hundred. No, for most of the year, this flagship diver GMT was purchasable for under £200. No wonder it’s unavailable at the time of recording!
Yeah, this Proxima obliterated just about every mainstream offering, and it even nailed many of the finer details right too. The hands, for example, were super clean, faceted, and even had a silver plate covering the central post, a feature typically reserved for luxury watches.
Combined with the aforementioned bezel, the markers being made from solid blocks of luminescent material also contributed to its spectacular low-light performance, eclipsing the vast majority of watches I’ve reviewed.
The case finishing here was also well above average, though not quite on the level of San Martin, while size was a familiar 39mm, which seems to have been the industry’s go-to width in 2025!
One of my favorite elements with this brand is, well, the branding. Yeah, Proxima rolls off the tongue pretty nicely, which can’t be said for most Chinese AliExpress brands.
I can’t rank it higher, as while it’s reasonably attractive and clearly a great watch, I personally prefer the looks of many others on this list. Oh, and the monochromatic bezel isn’t an ideal match for the navy dial tone either. They do have a white dial version still available, which sidesteps this flaw and either are great picks; particularly if you can grab them for under £300. Under £200 and you’re golden!
7. Spinnaker Phantom Steel & White
At number seven, the Spinnaker Phantom Steel and Phantom White. Typically, with lists like this, I don’t like to include many super-limited edition watches. However, on this occasion, I had to make an exception for the wonderfully creative Spinnaker Phantom series, which took Halloween watches to a whole new level this year.
Now, Spinnaker has already released a couple of ghost-adorned watches in years’ past, also in partnership with designer ‘Seconde/Seconde/’, those being the ’50 Phantoms’ models, which were a popular rework of their Fleuss diver and a fun play on the Blancpain ‘Fifty Fathoms’ name and styling.
2025’s Phantom Steel and Phantom White were even more original, maintaining the quirky luminescent ghouls but foregoing the stereotypical Halloween colors in favor of a truly ghoul-tastic white and silver look, boosted by the included white elasticated band, which also glowed in the dark; a feature I somehow missed in my first impressions video!
As you’ve probably noticed, though, that’s not the standout feature of this spooktacular Spinnaker. Indeed, the plaudits have to go to that one-of-a-kind 3D bezel. Its peculiar undulating surface perfectly emulates the waves of a phantom’s fabric, and in turn captures the light in ways that no other bezel could hope to achieve. This alone makes this Spinnaker seem more luxurious and exclusive than its moderate sub-£500 price tag would imply; there really is nothing else out there that looks anything like this at any price point.
That’s not to say it’s not well-built in its own right. The Phantom Steel is probably the best-made Spinnaker watch to date, with great case finishing and a well-rounded spec list, including sapphire crystal and a Miyota 9000 series movement, as well as extra touches such as those you can view through the exhibition rear.
Spinnaker really went all-out with this watch, as I’d hope from a limited edition piece, and you apparently will have a second, final chance to grab this in early 2026, when they release a second batch. The difference, by the way, between the Phantom Steel and Phantom White isn’t so much the color, but rather the size and movement. The Phantom Steel here is a 40mm watch with the Miyota automatic, while the slightly cheaper Phantom White is 43mm, with a different case shape, and powered by the inferior, but still serviceable, Seiko NH35.
While it is solidly built, its unique visuals do bring some limitations. Daylight legibility is poor due to low-contrast colors, even though the low-light performance is amazing. In a similar vein, the date wheel and cyclops are both too small to be practical and probably should have been dropped completely for a cleaner look.
Either way, this watch is such a standout that I’ve clung onto it, despite it being arguably too large for my tiny arm. I think that has to qualify it as one of the best watches of the year.
6. Keaso K001
At six, the Keaso K001. I discovered this little-known gem when painstakingly searching for any viable Casio Duro alternatives. And boy was this a turn up for the books!
Indeed, this sub-£60 AliExpress banger ended up not only matching, but actually exceeding Casio’s famous dive watch in almost every area…outside of brand recognition, anyway. Indeed, I can’t attest to Keaso’s quality control or customer service.
What I can attest to is the fact that this watch is considerably cheaper than the Casio in many territories, such as the UK, and it’s still really well made. I tested its water performance up to my machine’s maximum 6bar rating, which it passed with ease, as you’d hope considering the screw-down crown and caseback. I imagine it could survive much more.
Not only did it arrive in surprisingly stylish iPhone-like packaging, but the in-hand feel straight out of the box was far better than expected, with a relatively weighty feel for a quartz watch, and a well-cut, neatly finished steel case that was leagues ahead of most big brand options at this price, where you’re lucky to even get steel most of the time.
The bezel, meanwhile, is objectively better than the Duro’s, with a remarkable ceramic insert and a tighter, more satisfying action that also sounds great. The bracelet is also superior to anything offered by Casio, or 99% of other sub-£100 brands, with solid steel links and a three-step microadjustable clasp, though mine arrived with one head-scratching inclusion: the complementary link removal tool.
After several failed attempts, I eventually realised that the included tool is completely incompatible with the watch it ships with. Indeed, the bracelet actually uses screw links, which are generally better and easier than the usual push pins...but good luck extracting them with this plastic push pin tool. So yeah, hopefully they change this in the future. Luckily, this Keaso is so cheap, you can probably afford a full screwdriver set while you’re at it!
Aside from that, the bracelet is top-notch, and because this Keaso is only 42mm, with a short 47mm lug-to-lug, the overall wearability is better than the rather unwieldy Casio for most arms.
What’s more, this Keaso even has a sapphire crystal, as well as lumed hour markers that not only look incredibly neat up close, but also provide this watch with night-time brightness that the Casio could only dream of!
Under the hood is, oddly, a Swiss Ronda quartz movement. Perhaps not the optimal choice, as the awkwardly positioned date window may indicate, but hey, it’s still better than I expected, with dial-matched color to help it blend in.
The Keaso K001 is also one of very few ‘spec monster’ AliExpress dive watches that isn’t just a blatant copy and paste of an existing famous watch design. Now, the case and bezel have probably been plucked from the Momentum Sea Quartz, as you can see here. But the rest of the dial and detailing are considerably different, giving this Keaso a more individual look that doesn’t feel as lazy or generic as most other rival divers.
My main gripe here is the really hazy crystal. The AR coating here is about as effective as an inflatable submarine and could have been left out entirely. Either way, this Keaso was a very welcome surprise, even if not the most inventive; I’m keen to see more from them moving forward.
5. Addiesdive AD2037/2095
Starting out the top five, we have the Addiesdive AD2037…oh, and also the AD2095. Yeah, I’ve grouped these together because in many ways, they’re essentially the same watch. They share an identical spec sheet, including the same case, movement, crystal, and dial layout, differing only in the dials and handsets.
The AD2037 is the vintage-looking model, heavily inspired by the Patek Tasti Tondi from the 1940s, with a tachymeter scale and period-appropriate accents, like the leaf handset and the prominent Roman Numerals. The AD2095 instead rocks an automotive 1960s look, with high-contrast subdials reminiscent of the Hamilton Intra-Matic.
Like the Keaso watch I just covered, while both are similar to these big brand watches, neither are direct clones, with each boasting a string of unique elements, from their case size, case shape, and colors, to finer details such as the hands, crystals, and indices. Basically, these Addiesdives do just enough to stand on their own two feet.
As far as quality goes, they have no trouble accomplishing that, with a fit and finish that seems frankly impossible for such a low amount of money. The steel cases are sleek and elegant, with particularly clean polishing. The subdials have the concentric circle texture usually reserved for higher-cost watches, and all of the markers on these watches are applied, rather than printed; in shockingly precise fashion, may I add.
These watches don’t even use the basic quartz chronograph movements you’d expect; no, they’re rocking meca-quartz Seikos, meaning they even have a tactile clunk to the pushers and that characteristic semi-smooth sweep to the chronograph hand, which again is totally foreign for a watch costing under £100.
Both have strong aquatic performance, at 100m, and the stock bands are at least usable across the board, even if some are pretty big considering the compact case size. Yeah, this pair are 38mm wide, which is towards the smaller end of the chronograph spectrum. Another positive is that neither uses the hideous diver-style Addiesdive icon on the dial. Luckily, that monstrosity is reserved for the case rear, where only your skin will be seeing it.
Overall, these are just super stylish, absurdly-specced chronographs at a price where they have little to no competition.
4. Casio Edifice EFK-100
At number four, the Casio Edifice EFK-100. This was a landmark release for Casio when it hit the market back in August, marking the first mechanical watch from the brand since it entered the industry in 1974.
Given Casio’s manufacturing prowess, some were a little disappointed to discover that the movement powering this watch wasn’t actually made by them. It turned out to be a run-of-the-mill Seiko NH35A with a signed Casio Edifice Rotor, similar to that already found in hundreds of other watches. Considering the magnitude of this release, it seemed an odd choice to rely on a direct competitor, and it didn’t feel quite so ‘pure’, but what it did mean was that Casio was able to keep the cost of this watch really low.
After seeing the leaks, I thought it would be north of £400 or $500 USD, especially given Casio’s track record with previous special edition models. Thankfully, I was wrong. This new automatic was purchasable from just £269 or $280 and wasn’t even limited edition, making it much more accessible than expected.
Now, the EFK does have two major shortcomings, which I’ll get to, but it also has several industry-leading features that work in its favor. The finishing, for one, is exceptional, with a level of brushing in particular that would remain competitive at the £1000 mark. Similar can be said of the precision-cut hour markers, which seem to almost sparkle as you rotate the watch, dangling perilously over the surface beneath.
Of course, you then have the ‘electroforming’ dial, as they’re calling it, which in this case is supposed to simulate the texture of forged carbon. These do vary a bit. The colored variants are faux-carbon, while the black ones offer the real thing at a slight price bump; and while I do think this blue one is impressive, I wouldn’t say it quite lives up to the obviously edited stock images that were so heavily pushed.
Part of that is down to the low-quality crystal. It’s sapphire, so it is nice and scratch-resistant, but it seems to have no anti-reflective coating and terrible clarity that heavily reduces its contrast and saturation when outdoors or near any other large light source.
Nevertheless, in the correct lighting conditions, this Casio straight-up looks like a high-end luxury watch, with a level of construction that convincingly sells the illusion. The integrated bracelet, for example, maintains the exemplary finishing of the main body and flows perfectly down from the lugs, though the clasp has a stingy 2 microadjustment holes, which can result in fit issues.
On that note, the EFK wears large for a 38.9mm watch, due to those fixed end links and the relatively straight and thick 12.6mm profile that puts it beyond the reach of my smaller 6.25-inch wrist, but it should be viable for anyone with a 6.5-inch wrist or over.
For a first automatic release, I think it’s a beautiful and versatile design that manages to fit many outfits without looking vanilla, a task that isn’t easy to achieve. With some fine-tuning, it could have topped this list. However, for me, the crystal situation is tricky to look past, both figuratively and literally.
3. San Martin SN0150
At #3, the San Martin SN0150. I knew this watch would be special from the listing images alone, where the dark Mother of Pearl dial boasted the one-two punch of a colorful irridescent sheen and a highly-textured spiral that combined to create an intoxicating marine-like effect that I just had to see for myself.
Here’s a closer look at this thing, I mean, how impressive is this? San Martin must have Merlin tied up in the back room, as witchcraft is the only way this sort of detailing can be possible for under £350!
Mother of Pearl has always been a divisive material for me when it comes to watches. In a lot of cases, it looks too effeminate for my taste, and I don’t think I’m alone with that opinion. This darker piece, though, with all the added texture, is comfortably the best implementation I’ve seen so far, with subtle coloring that changes more predictably than most under different lighting conditions.
It definitely gives off some fish-like vibes, though they have another model that takes that even further, the SN0151, which straight-up looks like an array of scales in the images, but I haven’t tried that one at present.
In typical San Martin fashion, the rest of this watch is exceptionally well built. Many San Martin watches reuse the same cases to save costs, but this SN0150 uses an updated design, with more shapely curves and a thinner profile than most previous pieces, which I tend to prefer. It sits very flush to the wrist at a hair over a centimeter tall, but looks considerably slimmer thanks to the nicely sculpted mid-case.
San Martin is widely considered the benchmark for case finishing at this price, and this one again hits those lofty heights, with exquisite polshing that extends to the 20mm solid steel bracelet. But this bracelet is also where my big nitpick lies with the SN0150.
Quality-wise, it’s near-perfect, with solid links and a great clasp, but the length is cutting things very fine for small arms. This is a roughly 39mm watch, but even with all the links removed and the clasp shortened to the max, it’s clearly too big for my 6.25-inch wrist. Now, my wrist is very petite and probably too small for this watch, so most real buyers probably won’t run into this issue. But I figured it was worth mentioning, as it may be troublesome if your wrist is anywhere under 6.75 inches, which has never been the case with previous San Martin bracelets.
This watch is powered by the fantastic Miyota 9015, which enables its sleekness, and it’s kept sealed by a super-smooth screwdown crown and a threaded caseback, contributing to its 100m water resistance rating. The luminescence here is also superb, beating the vast majority of luxury brands.
Now, I will say that this piece ranks so highly more for its technical achievements than its outright attractiveness. Even if this watch did fit me, I’m not sure I’d wear it over other options on this list. I prefer a little more brightness with my watches, and there’s still something about the San Martin branding that acts as a bottleneck to my enjoyment. Luckily, some of that has been solved with the next watch on this list.
2. Jianghun JH0301
At 2, the Jianghun JH0301. When San Martin unveiled this sister spin-off brand a couple of years back, I was sceptical to say the least. I mean, they were already gaining a bunch of steam; why risk flying off the tracks?
And their first few releases seemed to confirm my doubts, with some…interesting style decisions to say the least. To get you up to speed, Jianghun was created as a vessel for San Martin’s more original and Chinese-inspired designs, and those early models were certainly that, even if the final results were pretty stomach-turning to the average Western consumer.
Luckily, they’ve retreated to a less extreme, more comfortable middle ground in recent months, and the results have been spectacular.
I have been frankly blown away by the aesthetics and build quality of the new JH0301, whose CNC-machined guilloche dial, and in this case mint green color, immediately reminded me of the much pricier Christopher Ward Twelve that I reviewed last year, not only in style, but in quality too.
Yeah, the execution here is genuinely competitive with many of the Swiss big boys, with a final look so luxurious it may even attract the wrong sort of attention in a city like London. Luckily, and quite miraculously, this Jianghun will typically set you back under £400, perhaps closer to £300 during sale periods, so you won’t have to be Gollom-level precious with it when you’re out and about.
This Jianghun carries over many of the strengths of San Martin watches, including the phenomenal case finishing and the superb spec sheet; again, this uses a Miyota 9000 series automatic, with strong water performance and a sapphire crystal. You can also see the shared DNA between the likes of this Jianghun and the SN0150, with each having those radial textured dials and the same handset, albeit the Jianghun brings some minor upgrades to the table for roughly the same cost.
The sapphire crystal on this model is considerably clearer than the rather mediocre piece fitted to the San Martin, the Miyota 90S5 movement is marginally better than the 9015, with improved shock resistance, and the bracelet is also less problematic.
The Jianghun site lets you choose between a three-link and a five-link option. The three-link is the same as that fitted to most San Martin watches; it’s got great finishing and doesn’t have the compatibility issue of the SN0150 bracelet, but my pick is still the new five-link option. This is the prettiest five-link bracelet I’ve come across; even the inner links have polished chamfers running down each side. It also has female end links, so it wears smaller, with extra flexibility, and both bracelets feature this glidelock-like mechanism that is super easy to use. Zero trouble finding a comfortable fit here.
The hour markers here are taller and more faceted than those on the San Martin, and more generally, I just prefer the look and sound of the Jianghun branding. Early on, I wouldn’t have said that. But, the more I’ve sat on it, the more I’ve come to appreciate the fact that they aren’t trying to pass these off as anything but Chinese, in a market where questionable faux-European branding is a dime a dozen. It’s trickier to pronounce, but feels more genuine.
The Jianghun symbol arguably looks better than the cramped characters of the San Martin hexagon, too, with the only minor nitpick being that the text on this model can appear messier than it is, due to the shadows it casts onto the textured surface beneath. When you look closely, it’s actually neatly done, though a flat backdrop would have enhanced readability.
So, how can they offer these improvements over a watch that was already industry-leading? Well, I’m assuming it’s mostly because they’re not selling on marketplaces like AliExpress.
Indeed, these Jianghuns are only purchasable directly from their website, making this a true direct-to-consumer product; literally straight from the factory to your front door. And it seems that, unlike most ‘cutting out the middleman’ companies that just pocket the difference as profit, Jianghun is passing most of those savings on to you. I mean they must be!?
While this does mean you get a remarkable bang-for-the-buck watch, it does sidestep some of AliExpress’ usual buyer protections, though you can check out with PayPal for a basic level of coverage.
This watch is so well-rounded that it’s difficult to find anything to criticise. At a push, I guess the case is a bit close to a Rolex Oyster Perpetual for my preference, and I’ve already seen it on many other San Martin watches, but considering the rest of what you get here, it’s pretty inconsequential.
It’s another 39mm watch by the way, with a 46mm lug to lug, so it’s right in the sweet spot for most people; sadly, yet again, it’s a touch big for my little wrist, but I’ll be jumping all over a 36mm version if it ever hits the market.
The JH0301 is gloriously pretty, especially in this sharp mint green color, though it also comes in four other sexy tones, including a very tempting copper that I almost got instead; it’s clear that color choices are another skill these Chinese brands are rapidly improving at.
I have to say this is the first time I think I’ve seen a watch that deserves the phrase ‘affordable luxury’. Outside of the movement, which is a kinda mid-range off-the-shelf choice, this watch matches or exceeds most entry-level luxury watches in every other metric, and it looks bloody good doing it.
1. Timex E-Line 1983 Automatic
At number 1, the Timex E-Line 1983 Automatic. Yeah, this one was never in doubt. I knew the Timex E-Line was sticking around from the moment I peeled off the plastic. There’s just something about this 80s design that immediately hit all the right notes for me, with its super clean dial, and nicely sculpted retro square case that made this my go-to grab watch in 2025. Shirt, hoodie, polo, whatever it be, this watch suits my wardrobe to a tee. (Make sure you credit me when you use that Timex.)
But yeah, wrist time is probably the number one factor when it comes to watch collecting, and for that reason alone, this was a shoo-in for the top spot. After all, what good is a mega-specced watch if you never find yourself wearing it?
On that note, this Timex isn’t so great on the tech front. I mean, for a standard retail price of around £200 or $249, it’s ok, with a nicely finished steel case and a Miyota 8215 automatic under the hood, but the acrylic crystal and 5bar water resistance hardly light up the spec sheet.
What I will say is that acrylic is probably the only viable option for this watch, as the crystal’s niche shape and extreme protrusion would have made other materials either too expensive or too vulnerable to shattering to be worth using. It’s also period-appropriate I guess, even if it sucks on paper.
But it’s quirks like the protruding crystal give the E-Line its character, and that’s what I love about this one. It’s a reissue of a TV-dial Timex from the 80s, but the minor design tweaks and modernisations have left this reissue looking much more handsome. Positioned like a halfway house between those vintage pieces and a modern sports watch, with a vibe not too dissimilar from many of the latest trendy integrated bracelet watches.
And arguably, this Timex looks cooler than some of those, for a fraction of the price. The dial here may not have the intricate surface of others on this list, but it feels proportionally perfect, with a narrow width that gives the design enough breathing room on either side. The markers and hands are pretty basic, and lume is totally absent, but the minimalistic Genta-like visuals are well worth the sacrifice; there’s just something impalpable about the way this watch is put together that makes it feel straight out of a luxury design magazine.
Now, most high-end watches don’t have a strap like this. On paper, the expansion bracelet sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, especially given how pinchy most of these can be. Thankfully, Timex has cooked up by far the best expansion band I’ve tried, and from the looks of the customer reviews, I’m far from alone in that opinion. That’s mainly due to this ingenious tool-free link removal system, which lets you tweak the fit perfectly to ensure the level of tightness is bob on; a crucial factor when rippage is a risk. The strip of adjustable links also doesn’t expand, meaning you get a whole section where plucking is much less likely. In fact, I could probably count the number of plucks I’ve experienced in the last six months on one hand.
The advantage is you can lob this watch on and off near-instantly, it’s great for fidgeting with, and it’s generally super-comfortable, as the fit adapts to you throughout the day. But if you’re looking for a watch to wear for intense exercise, you may want to switch it out, as vigorous movement can leave things a bit perilous!
Don’t let the tiny headline size put you off with this one. On wrist, the 34mm diameter wears just like a 38mm circular watch, which is typical of these square watches. It fits my 6.25-inch wrist quite nicely and could probably accommodate up to around a 7-inch wrist with no issues; for larger wrists, you may want to look elsewhere, unless you’re after the compact look.
During sale periods or on the grey market, you can often grab the E-Line for well under the RRP, at which point it becomes a no-brainer must-buy. It ships in a few other colors, including one on a standard strap, but this navy blue is definitely my pick.